Undocumented and Uninsured
<p>While many in the United States will gain health insurance coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act, undocumented immigrants are one group that will not see much benefit from the law. That’s because the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S.—most often young, working adults in good health—are excluded from participation in the new insurance marketplaces and state Medicaid expansions. </p><p>Focusing on the state with the largest number of undocumented residents―California―a <a href="/publications/fund-reports/2013/aug/undocumented-and-uninsured-barriers-affordable-care-immigrant">new report</a> from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and The Commonwealth Fund examines the health status and health care use of undocumented immigrants and suggests policy alternatives that could improve their access to needed health care. </p>
<p>While on commonwealthfund.org, listen to the podcast <a href="~/link.aspx?_id=B40B041419414FF884C419B37F266AD5&_z=z">Investing in the Health Care of Undocumented Workers,</a> featuring lead author Steven Wallace, Ph.D., associate director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and Commonwealth Fund assistant vice president Pamela Riley, M.D. And be sure to check out our infographic highlighting the difficulties faced by the undocumented. </p>